Locking mechanism for vessel-filling machines.



J. M. HICKS.

LOOKING MECHANISM FOR VESSEL FILLING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.15, 1909.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR W/T/VESSES J. M. HICKS.

LOOKING MECHANISM FOR VESSEL FILLING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED PBB.15,1909.

Patented Feb.15, 1910.

2 SHBETSSHEET 2.

unrran sTArps PATENT orrroa.

JAMES MILNOR mans, or SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR so AUTO srorrnn COMPANY, or new" YORK, N. Y.

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR VESSEL-FILLING MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES Mrnrvon HICKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Summit, Union county, New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Mechanism for Vessel- Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for locking the sliding sleeve of a bottle filling and capping machine.

The object of my invention is to prevent injury to the goose neck of the liquid supply apparatus set out in my application for Means for introducing liquid into vessels through a closed chamber of a filling ma chine filed Sept. 2d, 1908, No. $251,290, by raising the sliding sleeve while the goose neck is in position for filling a vessel, which would be liable to occur through the carelessness of the operator, and also to prevent the operator from moving the goose neck into filling position while the sliding sleeve is in its upward position, from any cause, such as failure of the sliding sleeve to return to its normal downward position, after the capping operation and before the next operation of filling a vessel, and my invention consists in certain elements and combinations fully set out in and claimed at the end of this specification.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appcrtains may understand, construct and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents an elevation in side view of a sliding head of a filling and cap ping machine, in its normal downward position; the vertical post on which the sleeve slides up and down; the upper part of the standard which supports the mechanism; valve supply pipe operating lever, and the movable locking mechanism connected therewith, and the stationary guard bracket secured to the standard. Fig. 2 shows in front elevation the same elements. Fig. 3 shows the same as Fig. 1, with the lever turned into position to discharge liquid through the pipe which carries the goose neck, and the sliding head locked to the stationary guard on the standard, so that the sliding head cannot be raised. Fig. 4C shows the said lever partially turned from its po- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 15, 1909.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

Serial No. 478,100.

sition shown in Fig. l and the sliding head locked.

A shows the upper section to the standard of a filling and capping machine.

B shows a post secured to the top of the standard A.

C shows a sliding head, which is the filling chamber to a filling and capping machine, of similar construction to that shown in my application aforesaid No. 451,290, the vessel inclosing device being left out.

I) shows the solid end of the valve pipe which carries the goose neck. E shows the lever which turns the said valve pipe into open and closed positions.

F shows a lug attached to the base of lever E and projects outwardly sidewisc therefrom.

G shows a guard attached to standard A.

H shows the straight vertical face of guard G.

I shows the curved rearward face of guard G, the curve being struck from the center of valve pipe D.

J is the pipe which carries liquid from the source of supply to the pipe D in sliding lead C, and thence to the goose neck as in my former application No. 451,290.

The operation of my invention is as follows :The elements being as shown in Fi 1, the operator turns the lever E into the position shown in Fig. 3; this operation turns the valve pipe D into position to de liver liquid through the goose neck, (which as in my aforesaid application is turned by the valve pipe D) into the base of the sliding head and beneath the post 13. Should the operator attempt to raise the sliding head C, while the goose neck is in this position, the engagement of lug F with the guard G will prevent it from being moved. Also if the lever E is partially moved into the position shown in Fig. 4;, the lug F will still engage with guard G and lock the sliding head O. In no position of lever E can the sliding head C be raised except in the position shown in Fig. 1, in which the goose neck is removed from the base of the sliding head 0, and cannot interfere with the capping operation. When the sliding head is raised, the lever being as shown in Fig. 1, the vertical face of the guard G prevents the lever E from being turned so that the goose neck cannot be moved while the sliding head G is up in the act of cappin Having now fully described my invention and the manner in which I have embodied it, what I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The combination in a filling and capping machine of the class described provided with a machine standard and sliding head, of the locking guard G, constructed substantially as described, and fixed to the machine standard, with lever E pivotally attached to sliding head C only, and arranged to be thrown into and out of locking connection with guard G, as may be desired, all constructed,

arranged and combined to operate to lock the sliding head C to the standard A, and 1 to release it from said locking position at the will of the operator.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this fourth day go of February 1909.

JAMES MILNOR HICKS.

Vitnesses lV. H. Rosn, J 01-1) A. HICKS. 

